Gifts Today magazine

Reasons to enter GOTY

Sales boost, fantastic exposure and free stand prize are just for starters

What's the point of entering Gift Of The Year? Pushing sales, fantastic exposure to retailers and buyers and the chance of winning a free stand at Autumn Fair.

With six weeks to go before entries to the bigger and better 2018 competition close, organisers the Giftware Association are making sure everyone considering putting their products up is aware of the benefits.

Transomnia picked up the Under £10 prize this year for their LED Bottle Light Kit, and joint director Rod O’Mahony said: 'While our winning entry was already a top seller for us, the award has undoubtedly helped to push sales even higher. It's running at almost twice the sales value of the next bestseller!'

With the online judging taking place in December and shortlisted products considered by the panel of up to 50 retail and industry folk in January, the winners of the 18 product and three new retailer categories will be revealed at Spring Fair, in a ceremony after the opening day on Sunday, February 4.

The overall Judges’ Choice winners receive a free stand at Autumn Fair next September, along with the GOTY trophy, while the category winners and highly-commended companies will all be featured in the Winners’ Brochure distributed by the GA at Spring Fair and throughout the year – and displayed at both trade shows in a dedicated Gift Of The Year space.

'The competition is meant to show the current trends in the gift industry,' said Luke Palmer, GOTY project manager. 'The resulting brochure is a directory that tells retailers what should be flying off their shelves, so it’s important to find judges who are aware of what’s fashionable – who better than the retailers whose businesses depend on them knowing?'

All entries receive the GA’s exclusive Nominated branding to display and are guaranteed to be seen by the judges in the online section of the process, with all shortlisted products being viewed in person.

For the 2018 competition, the GA are aiming for up to 50 judges from larger national chains to independent high street retailers, both online and bricks and mortar stores, along with all major publications in the trade press.

Luke added: 'So far we have confirmed almost 40, so it looks as though we will be smashing all records this year – we welcome judges from, among others, the National Trust, Not On The High Street, Fortnum & Masons, and Choice Marketing.

'For the judges, it’s a fantastic chance to see some cutting edge products, sometimes before they’ve come onto the market.

'Last year more than one of the judges asked for a list of every single entrant in a category so that they could make enquiries so, even if your product goes no further in the competition, you know that it will be seen by the right people.'